Overview
- Isabell Werth took the opening dressage test on Viva Gold OLD with 77.087 percent in Mannheim.
- Werth said the stallion felt a bit wobbly in the canter and they missed the final flying change, which cost points late in the test.
- Simone Pearce placed second on Will Marq with 72.087 percent, with Thomas Wagner third on Escolar’s Emil at 70.652.
- Dressage titles follow with the Grand Prix Spécial on Saturday and the Kür on Sunday, while SWR streams the Nations Cup first round at 13:15 and airs the decision live from 15:30.
- Organizers compressed the schedule after rising costs, with director Peter Hofmann praising top riders for showing up at a long-running event known more for prestige than prize money.